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In this study, a new approach to a uv-blocking treatment for cotton fabrics is developed using the sol-gel method. The treatment forms a thin layer of titania on the surface of cotton fibers, and the treated fabrics show much improved protection against UV radiation. with a UPF factor of 50+ or excellent protection according to the Australian/New Zealand standards. The treated fabrics are also tested for washfastness. The results show that the excellent uv protection rating of the treated fabrics can be maintained even after 55 home launderings, indicating a high level of adhesion between the titania layer and the cotton. A bursting strength test of the treated fabrics shows no adverse effect from the treatment.

To develop an efficient water-collecting surface that integrates both fast water-capturing and easy drainage properties is of high current interest for addressing global water issues. In this work, a superhydrophobic surface was fabricated on cotton fabric via manipulation of both the surface roughness and surface energy. This was followed by a subsequent spray coating of TiO2 nanosol that created light-induced superhydrophilic bumps with a unique raised structure as a result of the interfacial tension of the TiO2 nanosol sprayed on the superhydrophobic fiber surface. These raised TiO2 bumps induce both a wettability gradient and a shape gradient, synergistically accelerating water coalescence and water collection. The in-depth study revealed that the quantity and the distribution of the TiO2 had a significant impact on the final water collection efficiency. This inexpensive and facilely fabricated fabric biomimicks the desert beetle's back and spider silk, which are capable of fog harvesting without additional energy consumption.

Self-adaptive wettability is built on fibrous textile material through a simple one-step fabric treatment with nanotitania followed by controlled exposure to ''light'' and ''dark''. The self-adaptive feature created a fabric with one side having superhydrophilic and the other having hydrophobic properties. With the two contrasting properties, water can be transported unidirectionally from the hydrophobic side to the superhydrophilic side through the cooperation of 2D nano-capillary and 3D marco-capillary channels of the titania treated fabric.

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